New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-25
CUL1IVATING THE DIRTY.
From The Boston Transcript.

The other day the Listener fell In with
man, an elderly aid honest mechanic hVlng
in Of the suburban towns, VINO ,oiu w
interesting story that hinged Tor the most pare
tie dlltcIty that man who Is clean mas Ia
convincing people that he is not wentodo IL ls ,
rather instructive commentary Oh our Ways OF nte.
for IL illustrates tho difference between Ae
manners OF our poor, for Instance, and tho8e .,
France, where even the unemployed and haffed work
man generally goes about in blouse VI spicA and
span neatness. For the past fifteen years sale
this mechanic of whom the Listener speaks, have
had a lively 'rastle' with poverty and disease, and
during that time I've naturally learned some things
changed my opinions on Several matters that have
como under my observation. one of the things that
I've learned Is that II person Is POOR, needs AID;
better for him to be dirty and rassed than IL Is u
keep himself clean neat and respectable looking
"Ono Monday morning On going to my shop met
a man, stranger, who in search al some, one to
do a job Of wJiiS for him In my line of business
mechanic l took the Job and did the work. When
paying he expressed himself greatly pleased
said he do you know that l very sgrccally dis
appointed In your When met You that Monday
or 9fougSt that man that was around MO6iay
dressed up as you were could not be worth much" II
was summer time and had on a blue flannel suit
that cost me four dollars. l bought 1t second hand
VI friend that 1t did not fit My boots were BACKED
ali tho clothes thai had did not cost over ten
dollars. SO much fur being dressed up But was
"On another occasion, mechanic in a similar line
Of business to mine, which Is quite dirty one, said
ali The the time a. you do wen now, said l. h
much did you pay for tn 80 ants you have on
WE'LL you always have clean collar on, and have
your boots blacked.' Well said l, paper collars
your boots BACKED That just the difference be
tween him and His clothes cost him four OF
and dirty, While looked neat and clean
Tho In a9s wsEt on the times
and how hard 1t was TO make both ends meet ne ex-
neat and clean and respectable That's II exactly:
Ho lnstinctivc associated poverty with squalor and
dirt, and couldn't imagine that a person who was
poor and In distress could keep himcH clean.
Il ind that many Massachusetts, charities are con
Quoted in calculated to encourage Just this
tho recipients of their charity Sometime ago my
hearing began to fail, and II became evident that !
must have an operation performed on my cars; ri
Iniirmary and was told that IL would cost me moth
Ing. so ono morning dressed myself In the best
had, washed, shaved, BACKED my boots, put on
clean shirt and paper collar-fatal mistake
On entering tho reception room ! found quite num-
Der Of people waiting TO no operated on ana although
that close, fetid smell that always comes from
collection Of peoplc who are not particular anous
might After waiting quite while my turn came
and I ushcred into the opera ting room; On tax
ing my the revolving chair before the operat
ing doctor, hn whlrcd me round two or three times
and then said: 'You have no business hero.
why notr askcd This Is charitable institution
and YOU can afford 10 pay.' said he. 7 suppose
dJ look pretty nice but ali I had on overcoat and
all didn't cost over 500 Not caring 10 enlighten
him "a to tho details Of the petty economies that
should do. Tie said no would give me the card OF
doctor that could 20 TO, who would rot charge me
much. Consequently went TO him lie charged me
az Now that 81. in tho state OF my fnances az the
tl,no hurt mo moro than IL tichled. and have come
10 tho conclusion that n havc anything morn TO he
dono IN tat line, shall go in my workinS Clothes
without any collar or. haven't any donht that my
wants will Ne promptly attended to without word"